This is the final post in a four part series entitled, Quotes from my desk. I've shared with you four quotes that I see daily on my desk.
If you missed the other parts of this series, here's the links:
Now,
For the final quote!
"As a leader, you'll find yourself doing what others have not done and going where others have not gone. In exchange, you must understand that you will make mistakes no one else can and feel pains no one else has." - Craig Groeschel
Wow, heavy stuff Craig.
Just to give you a background on Craig, he's the pastor of LifeChurch.tv. LifeChurch.tv is a new innovative way of doing ministry that's been a little controversial and challenged by many "traditional" church people.
So if anyone knows how it feels to "make mistakes no one else can and feel pains no one else has" it's Craig.
Sometimes as leaders we feel like we're the odd person out. Because of the vision we have for the future and what we want to do to serve, help people, or create, we are sometimes seen as "different."
The difficult part is often we're trying to lead people somewhere that they've never been before, but we've never been there either. So we're building the plane while it's in the air!
Especially if you're a leader working to do things that no one else has. You're embarking on something that very few people have done before.
Do you know what the reward is for paving a path that no one has gone down before? Now others can drive down that path.
Now that you've paved a path that no one else have previously ridden, others can easily follow your path.
Examples: United Way proved that fundraising could be done in an easy and effective way asking for a small amount of money from a lot of people. And they proved it by becoming the largest fundraiser in the country. Since then several other charities have realized they can do similar fundraising methods and be successful.
Billy Graham has paved a path for other evangelists to follow in his footsteps. He showed an entire generation of future evangelists what is possible and what can be done, now it's on them to walk the path.
As a leader you'll make mistakes no one else is making and feel pain no one else is feeling. But remember those mistakes and pain are a result of paving a new path that other future leaders can now follow.